Below is a listing of upcoming conservation field days around the state. For a complete listing of future conservation field days, click here.  


Upcoming Field Days


Central Iowa Resilient Systems Field Day

Tuesday, June 9 | 8:30am-3:00pm

Ames, IA

Join Iowa State University at the ISU Beef Teaching Farm near Ames for a field day focused on improving resilience in forage and livestock systems during changing weather conditions. Attendees will participate in hands-on demonstrations covering diverse cropping systems, soil structure, root development and water movement. The event will also feature rhizobox demonstrations, soil pit discussions and sessions connecting soil health and forage systems to livestock management practices. Lunch will be provided. Registration is $20 per person and space is limited.

For more information and to register, click here.


Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day

Wednesday, June 10 | 10:30am-12:30pm

Sumner, IA

Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and soil health field day near Sumner as part of the “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series.” Attendees will hear from Peter O’Brien and Sabrina Ruis with USDA-ARS about how cover crops help protect and improve soil health. Local farmer Jeff Pleggenkuhle will also share his experiences and management decisions using cover crops on his farm. The field day will include a field tour and a Conservation Station rainfall simulator demonstration showing soil movement under different land management practices.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

From Low Diversity to Thriving Habitat: Prairie for People and Wildlife

Wednesday, June 10 | 9:00am-11:00am

Zearing, IA

Join Tim and Mandy Youngquist of Otter Creek Natives near Zearing for a field day focused on converting low-diversity land into thriving native prairie habitat. Attendees will learn practical steps for establishing prairie, selecting diverse seed mixes and supporting pollinators and wildlife. The walking tour will also highlight how prairies improve water quality, benefits beneficial insects and strengthens rural communities. Lunch will follow the event.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Cover Crop Field Day

Thursday, June 11 | 9:30am-12:00pm

Dayton, IA

Iowa Learning Farms, Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Corn will host a cover crop field day at Blair Farm near Dayton. Attendees will hear from experts and fellow farmers about cover crop management, long-term use and ways to reduce potential yield risks. The event will also feature long-term cover crop strips and trial results to help farmers better understand how these practices can work on their own operations. A complimentary meal will be provided.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Southeast Research Farm Field Day

Tuesday, June 16 | 1:30-3:30

Crawfordsville, IA

The Southeast Research Farm near Crawfordsville serves as a hub for agricultural research and demonstration projects focused on improving Iowa farming practices. Research at the 273-acre farm includes studies on corn, soybeans, small grains, soil fertility, nutrient management, tile drainage systems and alternative cropping methods. The site also features demonstrations involving native grasses and nut tree plantings.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.


Installing Drainage Water Quality Practices: An Iowa Batch & Build Contractor Workshop

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 8:30am-4:30pm | Fort Dodge, IA

Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 8:30am-4:30pm | Hiawatha, IA

This full-day workshop will provide contractors and others involved in farmland drainage with training on the construction and installation of drainage water quality improvement practices. Attendees will learn about bioreactors, saturated buffers, oxbows, wetlands and other water quality practices, along with installation best practices, construction requirements and how to submit online bids for batch and build projects. The workshop will include lectures, discussions, field visits and panel discussions with contractors, watershed coordinators and planning and design staff. Speakers will include experts from ISU Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, USDA-NRCS and the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition. Workshop materials, refreshments and lunch are included with registration.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Cutting Nitrogen, Grazing Cattle and Cultivating Flowers on a Lucas County Farm

Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 10:00am-12:00pm

Chariton, IA

Join Ben and Hannah Offenburger of Open Gate Acres in southern Iowa as they share how they balance row crops, cattle and a new cut-flower enterprise on their diversified farm. The Offenburgers raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa and cattle while also participating in PFI’s nitrogen rate trial to help lower nitrogen inputs through data-driven decisions. Attendees will hear how they use intensive rotational grazing on 40 acres of pasture and how EQIP funding helped add fencing and water infrastructure. Ben also plants short-season soybeans to allow earlier rye cover crop establishment for grazing opportunities. Lunch will follow the field day. Topics discussed will include using nitrogen trial results to guide nitrogen management decisions, benefits of planting short-season soybeans green, crop rotations for grazing and soil health, intensive grazing management and pasture infrastructure, and diversifying the farm with a cut-flower enterprise.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.


Continuing To Learn With Cover Crops and Conservation

Friday, June 19, 2026 | 10:00am-12:00pm

Earlville, IA

John and Margaret Hogan have farmed near Earlville, Iowa, for more than 40 years, raising corn, soybeans, hay and cattle. Conservation has long been a priority on their farm, and programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program helped them adopt practices such as cover crops, no-till, native pasture management, buffer strips and pollinator plots. Attendees will hear about the Hogans’ experiences implementing conservation practices and how they’ve adapted over time. The field day will also feature fields following cover crops and the couple’s latest work using a roller-crimper to terminate cover crops. Lunch will follow the field day, with an optional tour of John’s model train set. Topics discussed will include roller-crimper results, 10 years of cover cropping, no-till drills for corn and soybeans, and prairie and pollinator plots.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.